Children's Day filled with fun for kids

FRANKFORD — A royal tea party, cupcake decorating contest and Cow Kids Showmanship were just a few of the activities that made Tuesday a special day for children at the New Jersey State Fair/Sussex County Farm and Horse Show.

The 15th Annual Children's Day attracted families looking to participate in the numerous competitions, crafts and shows geared toward the youngest fairgoers.

In the Performing Arts and Entertainment Tent, children began the day with a Zumba class that got even parents on the dance floor. This was part of the fair's new health initiative that brings in yoga, Zumba, kickboxing, Pilates and other classes every morning.

After working up a sweat or just arriving, nearly 80 children headed to the Richards Building for the Fourth Annual Cupcake Decorating Contest. Children in three age groups-- 5 and under, 6 to 9 and 10 to 12-- were each given a vanilla cupcake and were instructed to get creative using colored icing and candy.

A budding cake baker, Aleah Colon-Alfonso, 12, came from Glen Ridge to compete in this cupcake contest. She fell in love with cake baking and decorating after taking a class on it.

Although she didn't win one of the top three prizes in her age bracket, she created a green monster with orange and black candy corn ears that still caught the attention of the Sodexo judges.

"It's my first time at the fair, but I've been baking for a year and a half," she said.

Another competitor, Grace Cacciaguida, of Wantage, decorated her cupcake with a swirling pattern of M&MS. Grace's family owns Century Masonry and Waterproofing, the sponsors for the contest. Her mom, Kim Ryan, said that this is the first year they are sponsoring the contest, but it fit well with Grace's interests.

"She loves cupcakes and decorating," Ryan said. "Look at her, she is so serious."

For all participants, the best part of the contest was the end when the cupcakes, covered with sometimes nearly five inches of icing and candy, were devoured.

At the same time, a different type of contest was taking place in the Livestock Area. The Cow Kid Showmanship gave the next generation of farmers a chance to show off their cows from 10 a.m. to noon. Twin brothers James and Steven Hough celebrated their 10th birthday by competing alongside their cows-- Panda and Henrietta.

The Wantage boys, who are entering fourth grade this September, said that a highlight of the fair is always the Cow Kids Showmanship. In this competition, young boys and girls, dressed in all white, parade their best cows in front of judges.

"You have to prepare ahead of time," James said. "And, you want to do your best and have fun."

Before the boys entered the livestock area to compete, the boys joked, placing their white Cow Kids hats on top of Panda and Henrietta's heads, something they say the cows love.

"It's exciting to come to the fair," James said. "And, we like to see the other cows."

As the day continued with sunshine and clear skies, a magic show, Rizzo's Reptile show, Little Royalty Tea Party and Favorite Doll Look-alike Fashion Show kept children busy in the Performing Arts Tent. Also, inside and outside the tent, children were busy with crafts and play stations that were set up by local organizations.

This part of Children's Day was sponsored by the non-profit community action agency NORWESCAP. Sharon Giacchino, director of the Child and Family Resource Services sector of NORWESCAP, said that the mission of assisting families seeking child care services fits perfectly with Children's Day.

"It fits with our tradition, and it's a fun, free activity for the community," Giacchino said.

Tim McQueen, of Ogdensburg, said that he always brings his three children, aged 3, 6 and 7, to the fair on Children's Day because it provides so many opportunities. McQueen's 6-year-old daughter Mia wanted to do only one thing on Tuesday-- stay in the RoNetco Supermarkets Farm Fun Building.

"She was looking to come to the ShopRite area," he said. "She's been here for the last few hours."

While his other two children were interested in the reptiles show, Mia was glad to do pretend laundry, shuck corn and ride a stick horse through a hay maze.

"We always come and make it a point to be here for kids' day," McQueen said. "It's the best."

In Case You Missed It

In 1881, five short line regional railroads combined with the New Jersey Midland Railroad to form the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway. This new line played an important role in hauling coal out of Pennsylvania to the greater New York metropolitan